However, one day, the two geese spoke up, expressing their weariness of the endless cycle of joy and sorrow they had experienced. They realized that this might be the pattern of their lives, a rhythm that would continue until the end of their days. They had just heard some joyful news. A wise bird had told them that at the peak of a distant mountain, there was a lake—a place where the water never ran dry and where the seasons had no power to disturb its tranquility.
The geese, eager for a life without the constant worry of the changing seasons, looked at each other with hope in their eyes. "Perhaps we could go there," said one of the geese, its wings fluttering in excitement. "A place where we will never fear the water running out, where we could live in peace."
The turtle, overhearing their conversation, felt a pang of sadness. "But you cannot just leave the pond," the turtle replied gently, its voice filled with concern. "This pond has been our home, where we shared our joys and hardships. We have weathered many seasons together. If you leave, what will become of this place? What will become of me?"
The geese paused for a moment, realizing the depth of their turtle friend's feelings. Yet, the promise of a stable, unchanging place called to them. They explained their desire for a life without fear, one where they could rest easily, free from the uncertainty of the seasons.
The "Lake of Happiness" they were aiming for was known for its endless spring. The two geese, full of determination, decided to fly there, hoping to find the eternal happiness they had always dreamed of. Seeing their strong resolve, the turtle was intrigued and wanted to join them on their journey. It felt that this trip to the lake might bring a deeper meaning to its life.
However, after thinking for a while, the turtle knew that the journey wouldn’t be easy. It had to find a way to keep up with the geese who could fly high. With its characteristic cleverness, the turtle proposed a smart idea: “You can fly, but I can’t. So, I’ll bite down on a piece of wood in the middle, and you can hold the ends of it while flying.”
The geese agreed to the idea, but they knew there would be risks. They warned the turtle seriously: “You must always be alert, turtle. Don’t let your guard down, because even the slightest carelessness can bring disaster. And most importantly, don’t speak throughout the journey. Keep your focus on the wood, and don’t say a word. If you speak, we could all fall.”
With that arrangement, the geese gripped the ends of the wood, and the turtle bit down on the middle. They took off, leaving the pond and the uncertainties behind. The gentle breeze touched their bodies as they began to soar high toward the "Lake of Happiness."
This journey would be a great challenge, especially for the turtle, which had to hold onto the wood without speaking, even though it had many questions and thoughts it wanted to share. But for their safety, the turtle kept quiet.
Throughout the flight, the geese remained steady, relying on their strong will. The turtle, hanging in the middle of the wood, despite feeling anxious and full of questions, kept its focus on the task at hand. No words came from its mouth, even though it wanted to say so much.
This long and challenging journey highlighted the importance of perseverance, patience, and self-control when pursuing a big goal. Yet, the challenges faced along the way would teach deeper lessons, and perhaps, this journey would reveal more than just the happiness they were seeking.
Above the field, a pair of wolves commented, saying that it wasn't the turtle biting the wood but rather cow dung, a souvenir for the goslings.
Above the village, the children gawked in awe, watching the turtle bite the wood that was being carried in the air by the geese on either side.
The village children waved their hands and shouted, "How happy the turtle must be! Such a rare event has never happened in its life before."
Above the palace garden, the princesses were fascinated. They wanted to know how the turtle had received such an extraordinary gift.
The turtle, momentarily distracted, wanted to explain. But as it did, its bite slipped, and it fell, its body splitting in two.
The king arrived with his advisor. The advisor explained why the turtle had fallen in the palace. Its habit of talking too much had made it careless, leading to disaster. The king realized that the advisor had long advised him to reduce his speaking. There is a time to talk and a time to remain silent. The king had always dominated conversations with his ministers. The turtle's fall helped him understand his own flaw.
It is said that after several lifetimes, the advisor incarnated as the Buddha, and the king became one of his disciples. The story of the Turtle and the Geese had transformed the king's perspective on life.
Moral Message:
Living with full awareness is indeed risky, as it entirely depends on our personal level of self-awareness. To live consciously means staying connected to ourselves, embracing both our strengths and weaknesses. However, since our awareness can fluctuate, this journey is not without the possibility of falling or losing our way. What matters is the willingness to rise again, learn, and improve each time we stumble.
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